Sen. Climate Change Denier endorses Fiorina

That’s right — James M. Inhofe, aka Senator Climate Change Denier (and not W. Inhofe, as the news release noted). Fiorina, who has scooped up a number of Republican endorsements in recent weeks, is apparently tacking right and right, appealing to anti-regulation conservatives. But, assuming she gets the Republican endorsement, we can’t help but wonder how endorsements like this one will it play in sunny, environmentally-friendly California, where centrists and independents play a big role in non-primary elections? (And judging by this AP story, we’re not the only ones asking that question.)

Let’s not forget Inhofe made waves in 2003 when he called global warming the “greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people.” It’s, um, gotten him some grief (check out the video below).

UPDATE: We just got a note from Fiorina’s spokeswoman, who said that the candidate’s views differ from Inhofe’s and noted that she’s also been endorsed by some more environmentally-friendly Republicans, including Olympia Snowe of Maine. Here’s what Julie Soderlund wrote:

Carly believes climate change is a serious issue that needs to be addressed with policies that address the problem, encourage innovation and turn the green revolution into a job creation mechanism for California and the country. She does not support the current Cap and Trade bill because it will kill jobs, but believes progress can be made on this issue without negatively impacting the economy.